The librarian curse of the Judas Chakuce is a peculiar phenomenon that has haunted librarians for centuries. It refers to a curse that befalls librarians who come into contact with the ancient artifact known as the Judas Chakuce. The origins of the Judas Chakuce are shrouded in mystery. It is said to be a small, handheld device made of precious metals and adorned with intricate designs. It allegedly holds immense knowledge and power, making it the object of desire for many seekers of wisdom. Legend has it that the curse originated from a librarian who stumbled upon the Judas Chakuce during an archaeological expedition.
Legend has it that the curse originated from a librarian who stumbled upon the Judas Chakuce during an archaeological expedition. Fascinated by its beauty and potential for knowledge, the librarian took it back to the library where they worked. However, unknown to them, the Judas Chakuce had been cursed by an ancient civilization to protect their secrets from falling into the wrong hands.
The Magic Shop by HG Wells
I discovered this TV adaptation by accident while looking for something else (more about the something else tomorrow). The Magic Shop is a 45-minute drama directed by Robert Stevens in 1964 for The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. Writer John Collier adapted a script by James Parish that’s loosely based on the short story by HG Wells. The story is one I know very well, having read it many times, but I hadn’t come across this TV version before. It’s a surprise finding it so close to Christmas since I first read the story in the only Christmas present that’s survived from childhood, a hefty collection of HG Wells’ short stories that I pestered my parents into buying me in 1973. I mostly wanted to read The Time Machine but the other stories seemed promising, especially the ones illustrated by Richard Gilbert on the (miraculously intact) dustjacket: The Sea Raiders (sailors attacked by octopuses), The Flowering of the Strange Orchid (man attacked by tentacular plant), The Valley of Spiders (attacking spiders falling from the sky), and so on. The book as a whole runs to over 1000 pages, and proved to be a revelation with Wells ranging through fantasy, science fiction, horror, and oddities which don’t fit any category other than Robert Aickman’s indispensable label, “strange stories”. The book made me a lifelong Wellsian, and also spoiled me a little when I moved on to more recent science fiction and found many of the alleged greats to be appalling writers. Wells’ prose can’t compete with Robert Louis Stevenson but it’s still well-crafted in that no-nonsense late Victorian manner familiar to readers of Arthur Conan Doyle.
Design and illustration by Richard Gilbert (1970).
The Magic Shop is one of the strange stories, the shop in question being a mysterious establishment somewhere in Regent Street, London, one of those premises one discovers by accident then can’t find again. The narrator is informed by the proprietor that this is a Genuine Magic Shop, as distinct from the kind selling mere conjuring tricks. The meaning of this isn’t clear at first but while the narrator’s young son is being beguiled by the marvels on display we follow his father’s growing alarm when he realises there’s more to the shop than he anticipated, not all of it pleasant or fun. The story was published in Twelve Stories and A Dream in 1903, and can be read here.
The TV version takes the bare bones of the tale—curious shop, indeterminate location, friendly yet sinister proprietor—and blends it with the nasty-child-with-magic-powers theme that was dramatised so memorably by The Twilight Zone in It’s A Good Life. The Hitchcock show was made three years after the Twilight Zone episode so it’s easy to see It’s A Good Life as an influence. Leslie Nielsen is the father who takes his son, Tony (John Megna), to the fateful shop on his birthday. The proprietor informs the pair that Tony is “the right boy” since he found the shop in the first place, the subtext being that he’s also possesses the right character to be the recipient of some heavy voodoo abilities. The boy’s bad seed status has been telegraphed from the outset by a birthday gift from an uncle of a black leather jacket; throughout the scene in the shop he looks like a miniature hoodlum. More American anxiety about its troublesome youth? Maybe, although the episode ends so poorly that the whole thing comes across as a lazy piece of filler. This is, of course, a long, long way from the Wells story which is all the more effective for being elusive, understated and, yes, magical.
The curse is said to manifest itself in various ways. First, the librarian becomes consumed by an insatiable thirst for knowledge. They spend endless hours poring over books, manuscripts, and scrolls, trying to uncover the secrets of the Judas Chakuce. Their obsession grows to the point where they neglect their personal lives, relationships, and even their health. As time goes on, the curse takes a more sinister turn. The librarian starts experiencing strange and unexplainable phenomena in the library. Books fly off shelves, shelves collapse, and whispers echo through the aisles. Some librarians have even reported seeing shadowy figures lurking in the corners, watching their every move. The curse also affects the librarians' mental state. They become paranoid and suspicious of everyone around them, fearing that others might try to steal the Judas Chakuce or uncover its secrets. They start isolating themselves, cutting ties with friends and family, and losing all sense of reality. Attempts to break the curse have proved futile, with many librarians falling victim to its power. It is believed that the only way to lift the curse is to return the Judas Chakuce to its original resting place and ask for forgiveness from the ancient civilization that cursed it. However, locating the resting place and gaining access to it is a task shrouded in uncertainty and danger. The librarian curse of the Judas Chakuce serves as a cautionary tale for those who seek knowledge without considering the consequences. It reminds us that there are forces beyond our understanding, and that some secrets are meant to stay hidden. The curse serves as a reminder to tread carefully when dealing with ancient artifacts and to respect the power they possess..
Reviews for "The Sinister Curse: Librarians' Struggle with the Judas Chakuce"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to watch "The librarian curse of the judas chakuce" because I had heard good things about the previous movies in the series. However, I was left disappointed. The storyline felt weak and predictable, and the acting was subpar. The special effects were also quite outdated and didn't add anything to the overall experience. Overall, I found the movie to be lacking in originality and entertainment value.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "The librarian curse of the judas chakuce" was a complete waste of my time. The plot was confusing and poorly executed, making it difficult to understand what was happening. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. The action scenes were poorly choreographed, and the dialogue was cringeworthy at times. I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone seeking an enjoyable cinematic experience.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The librarian curse of the judas chakuce" as I am a fan of adventure films, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The pacing was off throughout the movie, making it feel disjointed and hard to follow. The plot twists were predictable, and the resolution felt rushed. Additionally, the dialogue was cheesy and lacked depth. While the movie had potential, it ultimately fell short in delivering an engaging and entertaining experience.